Biosensor Development - Pfiesteria Dinoflagellates

We have developed the means to fuse promoterless reporter cassettes of the genes encoding bioluminescence (lux) to specific bacterial target genes responsive to many different environmental and host-derived stimuli. By doing so, we can produce a biosensor, a "molecular stethoscope" that produces light as a function of gene expression. This quantitative approach is being currently used to fuse the lux genes to target genes in selected strains of bacteria associated with the Pfiesteria piscicida and P. shumwayae. The goal is to construct a luciferase biosensors responsive to either dinoflagellate toxin molecules or the dinoflagellate cells themselves. This will provide a rapid means to detect Pfiesteria and help ensure human health and safety during dinoflagellate-induced fishkills.